The Imperial Style, 16 Years On.

(From Journal of Japanese Trade & Industry (JJTI))

Byline: Matsunaga Tsutomu

People around the nation visit the Imperial Palace in the center of Tokyo to do voluntary labor. They devote themselves silently to the tasks of weeding and cleaning the grounds. They receive no pay for what they do, but whenever the Emperor and Empress are in the palace, they greet the people, asking what is happening in the various regions the people come from and express their appreciation. Over 10,000 people annually participate in this labor, indicating a deeply rooted support of the Imperial Family among the Japanese.

During 16 years on the throne, the Emperor and Empress have established a new style for the Imperial Household. I once heard a story from a former aide regarding the preparations for a tea party with foreign guests. The Imperial Couple began to move the tables and chairs, hoping to make the arrangement more comfortable. Those close by were quite surprised, but according to the former aide, "It was an episode that symbolizes an active Imperial Family determined not to be stiff and formal."

As representatives of the Emperor Showa, who traveled abroad only twice during his reign, the current Emperor and Empress have visited various nations. They are of approximately the same generation as the kings and queens of Spain, Holland, Belgium and Sweden, and have sustained relationships with these other royal families.

Whenever the Emperor is to meet honored guests from overseas, he makes extensive preparations by reading volumes of materials. Grand Chamberlain Watanabe Makoto, who accompanied the official visit to four nations in Central Europe, has written, "The Emperor and Empress were pleased by the warm reception they received, and their humble attempt to understand those countries was evident to the people and that promoted a feeling of esteem."

Along with this diplomacy, what is distinctive is the Emperor's concern for democracy and the Constitution. Even in press conferences, he stresses the importance of freedom of speech. In response to an impromptu question of whether it should be extended to cover the war responsibility of the Emperor and the appropriateness of the Imperial system, he gave a definite response: "That is included."